Happenings at area churches, synagogues and mosques from around the Pioneer Valley

Submitted photoFrom left around the table, Joyce Zeroogian, Mary Omartian, Anita Assarian, Annie Berard, Susie Arslanian, Sally Jermakian and Elsie Zirakian, pause after making some of the food at the 2011 Armenian fest at St. Mark Armenian Parish in Springfield. This year’s fest is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Submitted photoFrom left around the table, Joyce Zeroogian, Mary Omartian, Anita Assarian, Annie Berard, Susie Arslanian, Sally Jermakian and Elsie Zirakian, pause after making some of the food at the 2011 Armenian fest at St. Mark Armenian Parish in Springfield. This year’s fest is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Submitted photoFrom left around the table, Joyce Zeroogian, Mary Omartian, Anita Assarian, Annie Berard, Susie Arslanian, Sally Jermakian and Elsie Zirakian, pause after making some of the food at the 2011 Armenian fest at St. Mark Armenian Parish in Springfield. This yearâs fest is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Armenian fest

SPRINGFIELD — The free fest at St. Mark Armenian Parish, 2427 Wilbraham Road, will be held on Sept. 2 from noon to 7 p.m., rain or shine. The event features Armenian food, music and cultural demonstrations. Hot dinner items include kebabs. There will also be homemade breads, cheese and desserts. Live music will be provided by the Brian Ansbigian Ensemble. There will be activities for children as well as raffles.

Concert benefit

AGAWAM - St. David’s Episcopal Church, 699 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, will host “Summer’s Last Hurrah,” a family concert featuring Charlie Galvin and Friends on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. Admission is free but donations will benefit the ALS Association in its work toward the cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The grounds on the church’s side lawn will open at 5 p.m. for a bring-your-own picnic set-up with chairs and blankets. Children are welcome; no pets allowed and no cooking onsite. There is free onsite parking, and indoor bathrooms will be available. 

Guest speaker

CHICOPEE – On Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., “Faith in the Family Life Mission Evening” will be held at St. Rose de Lima Parish, 600 Grattan St., featuring Catholic music minister and storyteller Michael John Poirier. A talk by Poirier and his wife will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Rosary led by the Poiriers.

Ramadan ends

NORTHAMPTON — The Baitus Salaam Mosque, in Springfield, is sponsoring an Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, that marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan for Muslims, that began on July 20 this year, at the Playground Shelter in Look Park, 300 North Main St., Florence, on Aug. 26 from noon to 6 p.m. The public is invited. The event is free with admission-parking fee of $7 to the park.

Simulcast event

WESTFIELD – “Harvest America,” hosted by Greg Laurie, will be simulcast from California to Westfield Evangelical Free Church, 568 Southwick Road, on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. The public is welcome without charge.

Musical concert

CHESTER – First Church, 3343 Skyline Trail, will host an informal musical on Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. Admission is free. A free will offering will be taken to aid a Boston charity which helps immigrants settle in the United States.

Chicken barbecue

WHATELY – First Congregational Church of Whately, 177 Chestnut Plain Road, will hold a chicken barbecue on Labor Day, Sept. 3, from noon to 2 p.m., eat in or take out. Cost is $10 adults, $4, children. The menu includes half a barbecue chicken, baked potato, dessert and beverage. For reservations, call (413) 665-2653 (LaSalle Florists). Tickets area also available from church members.

Rosh Hashanah

LONGMEADOW - Bete Avon Kosher Catering, in conjunction with Congregation B’nai Torah, will prepare carry-out meals for the Jewish High Holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Order ahead until Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. and pick up on Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the synagogue at 2 Eunice Drive or at Perigee Restaurant in South Lee.

SPRINGFIELD – The Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts will hold their annual meeting on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Jewish Geriatric Services, 770 Converse St.

Keynote speaker is Gary McGuey, has been working with area Jewish schools on “The Leader in Me” program for the last year. Robert Singer, director general and chief executive officer of World ORT, will provide an update on his organization that is the largest Jewish education and vocational training organization not run by a government.

Its name is coined from the acronym of Russian words meaning “The Society for Trades and Agricultural Labour.” It was founded in Russia in 1880.

During the meeting, the election of officers, trustees, and board members both organizations will be held. There will be a make-your-own sundae bar following the program. Reservations are requested by Aug. 27. RSVP online at www.jewishwesternmass.org or call Michelle Everett at (413) 737-4313 ext. 137.

Holy Days

SPRINGFIELD — The High Holy Day season at Temple Beth El, 979 Dickinson St., begins with a film and service on Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. in observance of selihot — the saying forgiveness prayers before the start of Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 16. The evening begins with the ritual of havdalah that ends shabbat, followed by the film, “Green Chariot,” a drama, set in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, about identity, belonging and romance. A dessert reception follows with Selihot services at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call (413) 733-4149.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sept. 16. The two-day observance ushers in a new year for increasing years on the Jewish calendar as well as a 10-day period of reflection that ends with Yom Kippur, a day of repentance and fast. 

Try synagogue

Try A Synagogue, a program of Congregation B’nai Torah, Sinai Temple, Temple Beth El, the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, and funded in part by a grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, is sponsoring an open houses in September at the three participating synagogues.

This program offers a special promotional membership for any of these three synagogues: $365 in year one, and $550 in year two. Prospective members are eligible if they haven’t been a member of a synagogue for three years or more.

Although prospective members are always welcome to stop by the synagogues to ask questions and obtain information, they will especially be ready to greet prospects on Sept. 4, 6, 10, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In addition, during the first two weeks of September, there will be volunteers at a Try-A-Synagogue table in the lobby of the Springfield Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and in the evenings from 5 to 6:30 p.m. as well as on Sept. 9 from 9 to 10:30 am.

Volunteers will be available to answer questions and provide information about synagogue membership.

Try A Synagogue is also co-sponsoring a special celebration of the Jewish New Year with the PJ Library program for families with young children on the first day of Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Laurel Pond in Longmeadow.

This program will feature such activities as storytelling. There is no cost to attend, but in order to plan accordingly, R.S.V.P. to Rachel Berezin at rberezin@jewishwesternmass.org or call (413) 737-4313 ext. 146.